Tell us something about your hometown.
I come from a small village in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. I grew up in very humble conditions. My father is a schoolteacher and my mother is a housewife. Despite hardships, I am an admirer of the countryside lifestyle. The district where my hometown is located is known as the Education Hub of Bangladesh because it has many schools and colleges. Rajshahi also tops the charts for being the cleanest city in Bangladesh, earning the title of Green City.
What is your academic background?
I completed my higher secondary education at the Shahdowla Government College in Bangladesh.
Why did you decide to study in Russia?
Russia is known for its high-quality education and research. For many years, Russians have been pioneers in innovation. Therefore, I decided to study here. Also, Bangladesh and Russia have a great relationship. Since my childhood, I heard my father talking highly about Russia.
What will you be studying at ITMO?
I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in information security. I won a scholarship for my studies that provides funds for my entire tuition fee.
How did you get to know about the scholarship?
While I was in my final year of high school, some of my relatives told me about the Russian Government Scholarship for international students. Also, I came across a post about it on social media. Then I got in touch with the Russian House (Rossotrudnichestvo Office) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and inquired more about this opportunity.
What made you interested in information security?
In 2014, the Reserve Bank of Bangladesh was hacked and a massive sum of money was looted. This incident resulted in a great financial recession in my country. After this disaster, the whole nation started taking cybersecurity very seriously. I also want to contribute to this cause and help my country become more secure digitally.
Are you learning Russian?
Yes, I am currently enrolled in the Foundation Program where I am learning all about the Russian language, history, and culture.
Arafat loves learning about Russian history and culture. Photo courtesy of the subject
Do you find it difficult to learn Russian?
I think every new language is tough at first. But I am enjoying learning Russian. It is a beautiful language. Sure, I will need some time to get comfortable with it but I am confident that I will be able to do it.
How does it feel to be at ITMO?
It feels surreal! Everything here is top-notch – the infrastructure, the teachers, and the curriculum.
When did you arrive?
I landed in Russia on September 20, 2020.
Tell us something about your journey from Bangladesh to St. Petersburg.
It was my first trip abroad. The journey from Chittagong to Moscow to St. Petersburg was long but also very exciting. I was anxious and happy at the same time.
Did you meet other Bangladeshi students?
Yes, I met quite a few of them. In fact, I traveled with three other students from Bangladesh who are also currently enrolled in the Foundation Program.
Did you make new friends at ITMO?
Here I got to meet students from so many different countries. I am proud to say that I have friends from Vietnam, India, Syria, and many more countries.
What do you think about St. Petersburg?
It is a gorgeous city. The cleanliness here is first-class. I was very impressed by the discipline. People never fail to obey traffic rules, unlike in Bangladesh.
Is it challenging to survive the winter here?
At first, it was a little difficult because I had never experienced snowfall before. But now I am okay with it. Snowfall after all is a natural phenomenon and I have great respect for nature. Having grown up in a village, I have learned how to get accustomed to the environment.
Do you like Russian food?
Yes, I do but I miss Bangladeshi food a lot. Therefore, I make my own food here.
What dishes have you cooked? Do you find all the ingredients here?
I have cooked the common ones only like rice, dal, chicken curry, and biriyani. Spices were somewhat difficult to find but other ingredients were available.
What are your hobbies?
I love making documentaries. I have a YouTube channel called AWAKE CONSCIENCE where I upload informative videos and vlogs. Unfortunately, I am not getting much time nowadays to shoot them. However, I have plans for making content about Russia, its history, and its architecture.
Have you been to any interesting places in St. Petersburg?
Not many yet but I did visit the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden. It is a must-visit for everybody.
Do you feel homesick?
Yes, I do miss my home and family a lot. I also miss my friends.
How do you stay in touch with them?
I talk to my family and friends every day on a video call. Thanks to technology, we are able to see and talk to one another virtually.
What are you planning to do this New Year?
I would definitely enjoy being with my new friends and exploring the city. Hopefully, I will get some content for my YouTube channel. At the same time, I cannot ignore my studies because I will have my exams soon after. So, I will also devote some time to studying as well.
